We cannot be forced to accept 7000 ‘Ghanaians’ without going through due process-Minister to US

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botwe, has in an exclusive interview with Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm hinted that, her outfit is still in talks with the American government over the 7000 persons set to be repatriated to Ghana.

The Minister speaking to Rainbow Radio’s parliamentary correspondent, Afia Kwarteng said, Government of Ghana would not be forced in accepting the alleged Ghanaians without going through due process.

She said, the processes involved in ensuring the persons are indeed Ghanaians takes time hence the need for the US government to provide them with the list of the affected persons set to be repatriated.

‘’We need the list because the list would make it easy for both countries. But if they have not given us the list and yet they keep reminding us that, we have Ghanaians to be repatriated, then it becomes a bit difficult. If the US government does not give us the list, and yet they want us to process documents for the persons alleged to be Ghanaians, then it would be extremely difficult for Ghana to do so.’’

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the United States has announced the implementation of visa sanctions on Ghana.

In a release dated January 31, 2019, the DHS explained that the sanctions are as a result of Ghana’s failure to accept its nationals that have been removed from the U.S.

“Ghana has failed to live up to its obligations under international law to accept the return of its nationals ordered removed from the United States,” Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen is quoted in the release.

“The United States routinely cooperates with foreign governments in documenting and accepting U.S. citizens when asked, as appropriate, as do the majority of countries in the world, but Ghana has failed to do so in this case. We hope the Ghanaian government will work with us to reconcile these deficiencies quickly,” the Secretary of Homeland Security added.

Pursuant to her authority under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen notified Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the Government of Ghana has denied or unreasonably delayed accepting their nationals ordered removed from the United States.

But the Minister speaking to the claims said, ‘’if they give us the list, we will take our time and work on it consistently. That is what we are demanding, that is what we have negotiated for and I can strongly state that we are having a fruitful engagement.’’

She stressed on the point that government has not shown lackadaisical attitude but due process is due process’’.